What should I do if the three-way catalytic converter is damaged?
4 Answers
The three-way catalytic converter is damaged and should be replaced immediately with a new one. Below is an introduction to the three-way catalytic converter: Function: The three-way catalytic converter is a component in the car's exhaust pipe that purifies the exhaust gases. Without it, the harmful substances in the car's exhaust would exceed the standard. The car's exhaust pipe consists of three parts: the front section, the middle section, and the rear section. Installation: The car is equipped with a three-way catalytic converter and an oxygen sensor device, which can convert harmful gases such as CO, HC, and NOx in the car's exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction reactions. Data Provision: If the three-way catalytic converter is damaged, the second-stage oxygen sensor will not be able to correctly provide data to the car's computer, leading to either too lean or too rich a mixture concentration. A too lean mixture can cause ignition difficulties, weak driving, engine backfiring, etc., while a too rich mixture can increase fuel consumption, incomplete combustion, and severe carbon buildup in the cylinders and spark plugs. When such faults occur, the engine fault light should illuminate.
I've repaired many catalytic converters – you shouldn't take this component lightly when it fails. The most common issues are clogging or failure of the precious metals inside. The most obvious symptoms include a constantly illuminated check engine light, noticeable sluggishness during acceleration, soaring fuel consumption accompanied by a foul rotten egg smell. Last time I encountered an owner who kept delaying repairs, and the excessive exhaust backpressure ended up blowing the head gasket, doubling the repair costs. My advice: immediately check trouble codes when abnormalities appear. For mild clogging, try specialized cleaning solutions, but severe cases require replacement. Don't cheap out with aftermarket parts – I've seen many fail within six months. Prevention is crucial: avoid gas from questionable stations, regularly drive at highway speeds to clear carbon buildup, which can extend its lifespan by 3-5 years.
As an experienced driver, I must remind you to address a faulty catalytic converter immediately. I once experienced it myself – the car suddenly lost power during acceleration, and the exhaust warning light came on. A repair shop confirmed the catalytic converter was indeed dead. This component acts like the car's purifier; if it fails, emissions exceed standards, and you'll definitely fail the annual inspection. Moreover, prolonged neglect can damage the oxygen sensors too. There are two repair options: if the converter shell is intact, try professional chemical cleaning; if the internal ceramic substrate is shattered, replacement is the only solution. Aftermarket parts now range from 2,000 to 5,000 yuan – I recommend OEM parts for better durability. For maintenance: never use leaded gasoline, and use fuel additives when carbon buildup is severe, as these practices protect the catalytic converter.
If the catalytic converter is damaged, go directly to a professional repair shop for diagnosis instead of trying to fix it yourself. Last time my car's catalytic converter failed, the mechanic taught me to recognize three typical symptoms: abnormally high temperature when touching the exhaust pipe, metallic rattling sounds from the exhaust when accelerating hard, and a sudden increase in fuel consumption by more than 15%. The solutions are clear: minor blockages can be resolved by reverse flushing with specialized equipment; if the substrate is broken, the entire unit must be replaced. When I replaced mine, I opted for a remanufactured part, which was 30% cheaper than a brand-new OEM one and has been working well. Remember to also check the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors, as they work in conjunction with the catalytic converter—failure of one often affects the other. For prevention, try to avoid short trips with a cold engine, and running on the highway once a month to clear carbon buildup is very effective.
